Telegraph printer



@m, 1Q, 1935, (:AMMEN 2,@23,94

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Original Filed June 26, 1934 '2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 022-1 zzo J04 J05 I llI nun-1 was INVENTOR.

Dan M, 1935 L. CAMMEN 2,023,949

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Original Fi led June 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE lyn C. Cammen, NewYork, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1934, Serial No. 732,460 Renewed October 31, 1935 9Claims.

This invention refers to telegraph printers, and deals more specificallywith means for positioning the type wheel in telegraph printers whereinthe type is located on a rotary member. In all such telegraph printersthe receiving apparatus consists of the following main parts: (1) meansto receive the signals, and if the signals are of several types, routethem in the proper way; (2) means to have certain members, which may beeither selectors or abutments, moved by or through the intermediary ofthe signals sent out by the transmitting station; (3) means to move thetype wheel until stopped by the means specified in group 2, and means toresume the motion of the type wheel in the proper part of the cycle; (4)means to print the character for which the wheel has been positioned bythe previous operations, together with means to move the paper on whichthe character has been printed. The present invention deals specificallywith the part of the apparatus listed in groups 2 and 3 above. All theother apparatus is known in the art, and has been, e. g. set forth in mypatent applications, now pending before the office, such as Telegraphprinters, filed October 20, 1933, Ser. No. 694,469, and Printingtelegraphs, filed Nov. 10, 1933, Ser. No. 697,428 (allowed).

In the illustrations,

Fig. 1 is a section, through the axis of the type wheel, of thetype-wheel carrying and stoppingmechanism;

Fig. 2 is a section, in the same plane as Fig. 1, of the mechanism ofthe first stage in the selective process;

Fig. 3 shows the shifting apparatus for the second stage;

Fig. 4 shows, in section, a selector member of Fig. 2 in thenon-operated position, and Fig. 5 shows the same member in its operatedposition, first stage of selection.

Fig. 6 shows the same member as Fig. 5 but in the second stage ofselection, and Fig. 7 shows it in the third stage of selection.

Fig. 8 shows the selector pin as arranged for service operation,together with its cooperating member.

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 show a modification of the apparatus shown in Figs.1 to '7, whereof Fig. 9 shows, in section, the assembly of selectorpins, abutments and brake;

Fig. 10 shows the selecting frames as seen from the end, and

Fig. 11 shows the same selector frames as seen from the side.

.It is assumed here that the standard five-impulse code is used(Teletype, Creed) and the same translating mechanism as specified in mypatent application listed above, 1. e. in three steps, and a total ofeither 27 or 32 type Wheel positions. With the former, the first stepmay select a group of 9 characters containing the desired character; thenext step selects a group of 3 out of the 9, and the third selects theindividual character.

For purposes of intercommunicating with such machines as the Creed andTeletype, a somewhat different arrangement of selection has beenevolved. This consists of four groups of 8 pins or characters in each.Each group is divided into 4 subgroups with 2 pins in each, and eachsubgroup into 2. individual characters.

Fig. 2 shows the selective mechanism for the first stage, i. e. groupselection. Of three frames, I00, H0, and I20, each cooperates with 9selector pins, such as H02, and each is capable of being moved by amagnet, such as H], H, and 12, when the latter is energized. Thetranslating mechanism by which one or more signal impulses sent out in apredetermined combination by the transmitting station energize a givenmagnet is set forth in the application cited. If, e. g., magnet H hasbeen energized, this causes frame III] to move against the pull ofspring I I l into the posi tion shown where it comes over the secondstage selector elements 200, 220, and 230. There are three suchelements, and one of them is shown in Fig. 3. These three elements arestaggered so that, e. g. projection 222 on the element of Fig. 3, andthe corresponding projections on the two other selector elements arenine pins wide, i. e. as Wide as the nine-pin-space of frame i it.

In their original positions, the selector pins N32 occupied some suchposition as shown in Fig. 4 (they may be located vertically,horizontally, or at an angle to either of these positions). When magnetH is operated, they come to occupy a position such as shown in Fig. 5for pin H02. If now we operate, e. g., bar 22%, by a magnet similar to Hbut. not shown, the projection 222 will push up three contiguous pins,such as l I02, l I03, and H04, jointly constituting a subgroup, as shownin Fig. 6. Projections 22! and 223 also move upwards, but do not pushanything up, as the frames 10 and I20 are not over the second stageselector bars.

Next there are nine groups of selector pins, three in each group, suchas 306, 3H3, and 323 in Figs. 6 and 7, each group of nine operated byone magnet, not shown. If a magnet corresponding to a group comprisingthird stage selector member 300 is operated, H02 moves from positionshown in Fig. 6 to that in Fig. 7; It will be noted that all the membersof the third selection group are located above the original level ofselector pins H02, which is IT. Therefore only the pins lifted in thesecond stage of selection can be affected thereby.

The typewheel TW is carried on a shaft equipped with helically locatedabutments, MI, 402, etc., so arranged with respect to the pins Hl, H02,etc., located in a row, that when the pins are in their inoperatedposition, they do not interfere with the shaft abutments, but do so whenthey are in their operated position, as shown in Fig. '7 and again inFig. l, in which latter position each pin can interfere with only onepredetermined shaft abutment, thus positioning the wheel TW.

The matter of return springs in this apparatus is important. All themagnets, such as I I, are locked, mechanically or electrically, in theiroperative position until released in due time, and the frames and pinsheld in position against the pull of the springs provided therefor.Frame H0, Fig. 2, is held against spring III when pin H02 and the othermembers of its subgroup are raised by the subgroup selector bar 220,this is done, Fig. 6, against spring I I023, Fig. 4. It is against thesame spring that the third-stage selector element 300 works. If now themagnets are de-energized, the springs snap the pins back into theiroriginal position shown in Fig. 4, the return of the pins being partlyassisted by spring 301, which has, however, another function to performas well.

When pin I I02 is in its operative position, such as shown in Fig. 1,and the typewheel shaft is turned, abutment 402 strikes against the pinand thus positions the wheel. The character is then printed in the usualmanner, and the wheel must be made ready for taking the next characterto be transmitted. As this is done by moving the various frames andselector elements, they must all be returned into their originalpositions before the positioning of the new character on the typewheelcan be started, which means that if no other means had been provided,there would have been a period during which the wheel would be runningwild. To avoid this, braking means for the wheel have been provided.These braking means consist of a toothed wheel, preferably with as manyteeth as there are abutments on the typewheel shaft, 304, and a lockingmember 305, connected as by pin 306, with all the selector pins, such as300. Usually member 305 is held in its back or inoperative position byspring 301, but when pin 300 is pushed to the left, it carries lockingmember 305 with it and releases toothed wheel 304, leaving the typewheelshaft free to rotate until stopped by pin I I02. This latter conditionis shown in Fig. 7.

A modification of the above design is shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. Inthis again a certain number of code pins, such as I60 I, are provided.This number will be hereafter referred to here as 27, which is done forillustration only, however. These pins are retained in their inoperativepositions by code bars, 6I0,,6H, 62I, 033, 024, 625, etc. The 27 pinsare divided into three groups of nine, each group being held in positionby one of the bars, 6I0, 6| I, and 6 I2 which can be moved out of theway of the pins, e. g. down, against a spring not shown, by appropriatemagnets, such as shown in Fig. 10. Let us say that 6| 0 is so moved.This opens a path for the nine pins concerned to move, but no actualmotion takes place,

shown in Fig. 7 at H02.

as other code bars hold the pins in position, e. g. 6 I3, 6 I4, and 6|5, each controlling three pins.

As has been stated above, instead of the division into three groups,three subgroups and three units per subgroup, a division into fourgroups, four subgroups and two units per subgroup may be employed.Otherwise this arrangement does not differ from the one previouslydescribed.

If now we move one of the second-selection bars, 62I, 622 or 623, one ofthe set of projections, 10 6I3, 6I4 or GIS, is moved out of the way ofthe pins (BM in Fig. 11), opening a path for the three pins concerned.It should be noted that when bar 622 moves, projections 6I4I and M42 arealso moved out of the way of their pins, but this is 15 immaterialbecause those pins cannot move anyway, being held in their inoperativepositions by bars BI I and BIZ. The pins still do not move.

In the final operation of selection, one of the bars 624, 025 or 626 ismoved by its appropriate magnet. The projections on these bars eachcontrol one pin, and when the bar is moved, the pin is free to follow.This is shown at 625 in Fig. 9, with the pin 645 in its projectedposition. As shown in Fig. 1, the typewheel shaft carries a number ofabutments, and when an abutment, such as I02, strikes the pin, such as045, the shaft is stopped.

The selector pins are each provided with a resilient member such as aspring which tries to push the pin forward into a position where itwould engage with an abutment on the typewheel shaft. On the other handeach of the selecting elements is equipped with a member such as aspring which tries to pull this member out of its operating position.The spring on the selector frames works, therefore, against the springson the selector pins, and must be stronger than the latter in order tokeep the pins in inoperative position. The selector pins and abutmentshave between them two functions to perform. One is to locate thetypewheel, and the other to perform the service operations. Among thelatter are the operations of shift and unshift of the typewheel, space,carriage return, "5 and line change. In the present invention a pin andan abutment are provided for each such service operation, as shown inFig. 8. The pin is, however, of a shape somewhat different than Insteadof extending only to the tooth of the cam 402 in Fig. 7, the pin has alip 802 extending as shown around the cam, and when the pin engages withthe abutment the lip projects beyond the type shaft cam and operates thedesired service function, such as shift, either mechanically, or, asshown in Fig. 8, by closing an electrical contact, such as 8! I. Thiscontact supplies a current through a circuit not shown, to a magnetwhich either directly operates, or merely controls, the desiredfunction.

The cycle of operation is substantially as follows. The selection of thepin takes place while the shaft is standing still, and held in its stillposition by some means such as a brake. When the pin has been selectedand projected into the path of the proper abutment on the typewheelshaft, the brake is released and shaft permitted to run until stopped bythe impingement of the abutment onto the pin. This positions thetypewheel and permits it to print the desired character. Before or afterthis is done, the typewheel shaft is again immobilized by theapplication of the brake, to permit a new pin selection to take place.

til

The brake is shown in Fig. 9, and consists of a gear wheel 128 and pawl729. When magnet Z26 is energized, the pawl is pulled back and the brakereleased. When 12'! is energized, the pawl engages with the wheel andkeeps the shaft from turning. Wheel 728 must have a number of teethwhich is a multiple of the number of stop-pins Mill.

The number of coding bars depends on the code. Thus, for a six-impulsecode, the distribution shown in Fig. 11 is satisfactory. For afiveletter code, with the last impulse always a marking, there should befour bars of the 6!!) type, four of the 62'! type, and two of the 624type.

The sequence of events is substantially as follows. The selector pin isprojected by its spring into the operating position some time during thefirst half of the sixth coding period whereupon the brake is releasedand the typewheel shaft is free to start rotating. This release of thebrake may be accomplished by electrical means, as at lit, or by a camoperated from the same shaft as drives the commutator shaft. The timeavailable for the typewheel shaft to complete its rotation is from abouthalf the sixth coding period to the end of the first half of the firstcoding impulse, it being understood that these figures are merelyapproximations, however. The brake sets in then, and the selector pinand selecting frames are returned to their original positions by theirsprings upon the cancellation of their holding means, or by a mechanismsynchronized in its action with that of the brake.

The apparatus for performing the service operations, such as shift andunshift is shown in Fig. 8. The pin H30 is shown in contactual relationwith abutment 602. The selector pin is provided with lip H3! free topass under, above or by the side of abutment 402, and when in theposition shown, closing the contact between H32 and H33 and thusestablishing a circuit which operates the service function. When pinMSW- MI is in its non-operating position, the contacts H32 and H33 areheld apart by means of a spring, such as I I34, shown here as a wire.

I claim:

1. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon.

one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins,one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into apredetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined numberof subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units,together with means to select the desired group by one group of impulsessent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the selectedgroup by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroupby still another group of impulses, and means to project the selectedunit into the path of one of the abutments.

2. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selectorpins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into apredetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined numberof subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units,together with means toselect the desired group by one group of impulsesset out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the selectedgroup by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroupby still another group of impulses, and means to project the selectedunit into the path of one of the abutments wherein the abutments arelocated in a one-turn helix on the shaft.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and means 5 to apply power to thetypewheel shaft to set it into rotation and braking means to prevent itsrotation while the power is applied thereto.

4. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means toposition it, comprising a H) shfit to: move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selectorpins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into apredetermined number of groups, each group into a predeter- 15 minednumber of subgroups, and each sub-group into a predetermined number ofunits, together with means to select the desired group by one group ofimpulses sent out by the sending station,

the desired subgroup in the selected group by another group of saidimpulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group ofimpulses, and means to project the selected unit into the path of one ofthe abutments, and wherein the selecting means when not operatedmaintain the 5 selector pins in their non-operating position.

5. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selectorpins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into apredetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined numberof subgroups and each subgroup intoa predetermined number of units,together 35 with means to select the desired group by one group ofimpulses sent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in theselected group by another group of said impulses, and the unit in saidsubgroup by still another group of impulses, means to project theselected unit into the path of one of the abutments, locking means forthe typewheel shaft, with means to disengage said locking means afterthe proper selector pin has been placed in its operating position, andengage them after the proper abutment on the typewheel shaft has comeinto abutting relation with the proper selector pin.

6. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selectorpins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into apredetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined numberof subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units,together with means to select the desired group by one group of impulsessent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the group:previously selected by another group of said impulses, and the unit insaid subgroup by still another group of impulses, means to project theselected unit into the path of one of the abutments, locking means forthe typewheel shaft, means to disengage said locking means after theproper selector pin has been placed in its operating position, andengage them after the proper abutment on the typewheel shaft has comeinto abutting relation with the proper selector pin, such disengagementof the brake taking place near the middle of the last coding period inthe cycle, for the transmission of a character, and the reengagement notlater than the middle of the first coding period in the cycle oftransmission of the next character.

'7. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, 2. typewheel, means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutmentsthereon, one

for each character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one foreach abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into four groups, eachgroup into four subgroups, and each subgroup into two units, togetherwith means to select the desired group, subgroup and unit, each by apair of impulses.

8. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, means to operate the servicefunctions of the receiver by impulses sent out from the transmittingstation comprising a type wheel, a shaft to move it, abutments on theshaft, one for each service function, selector pins, one for eachservice function, means to maintain these selector pins in theirinoperating positions by means of selector elements therefor, means tooperate these selector elements in proper succession controlled byimpulses coming from the sending station, and means to project theselector pins selected by the selecting elements, one at a time, intoits operating position where it encounters the abutment on the typewheel shaft, the selector pins being provided with an extension wherebythey come in contactual relationship with the service operating means.

9. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, a type wheel and means toposition it, comprising a shaft to move the type wheel, abutmentsthereon, one for each character position on the type wheel, and selectorpins, one for each abutment on the shaft, selecting means for said pins,three of said selecting means being operated for the selection of aselector pin, and magnets to operate them, together with means to holdthe operated selecting means in their operated position until theselector pin so selected has come into contact relation with itsabutment.

LEON CAMMEN.

